My Boss is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

8: Vren

Dahil gusto kong mabawasan ang init ng ulo ko dala ng encounter namin ng Mira na 'yon, lumabas muna ako ng ospital at pumunta sa pinakamalapit na coffee shop. Balak ko pa rin naman siyang ihatid pauwi sa kabila ng mga sinabi ko kanina — kailangan ko lang munang magpalipas ng inis.

At siyempre pa, ang coffee shop na pinuntahan ko ay Starbucks.

Kidding.

This one's named Café Isabella.

Hayaan na kahit corny ako — gwapo naman.

"Good morning, Mr. Montevilla," a café's staff greeted as I took a seat.

"Good morning," tipid ko namang sagot, without even bothering to look at him.

"Is it the usual order again, or do you want to try something new?"

"The usual."

"Very well, sir. Coming in a short while."

Dapat lang, I thought with a smirk. They better treat me like the VIP that I am, if they don't want to be reprimanded by their boss, who happens to be my —

That's irrelevant. Let's just say na isa ako sa regular customers ng Café Isabella, despite of what happened between —

Ugh. Stop it, Vren.

Dumating na ang order kong capuccino. After a few sips of my drink, my mood started to considerably get better.

Palabas na sana ako ng café, nang bigla namang pumasok si Vince.

Anong ginagawa ng loko rito?

Mukhang nagulat din siya nang mapansin niya ako. "Bro, nandito ka pa pala? Akala ko, umalis ka na."

Sasagot na sana ako, pero itinuloy niya ang pagsasalita. "Never mind. It doesn't matter. Antayin mo lang ako saglit. Ibibili ko lang ng makakain si Mira, tapos sabay na tayong lumabas."

Wow. He'd buy that woman something to eat? Kailan pa naging runner itong si Vince?

"At kailan ka pa nag-offer ng libreng pagkain sa mga pasyente mo?" nakakunot ang noo na tanong ko sa kanya.

"What's it to you, Vren?" He chuckled. "Andoon siya sa kotse ko, actually. Ihahatid ko na pauwi, dahil mukhang wala kang balak na gawin 'yon. Bibilhan ko lang siya ng makakain — baka kaya namumutla pa rin ay dahil nagugutom na. It's nearly lunchtime."

"Who said I wasn't going to take her home?" My frown deepened.

"Uh, ikaw?" Vince looked at me like I was crazy. "Sabi mo sa kanya, bahala na siya sa buhay niya, 'di ba? Well, here I am, doing what you ought to do. Ikaw itong nakaaksidente pero may gana ka pang supladuhan si Mira."

"Like you're really doing this out of the goodness in your heart." I scoffed. "Fine. I'm getting out of your way. Enjoy your time with that woman."

"Hey, where are you going?" Vince yelled after me as I made my way out of the café.

"Back to my company," I answered him without looking back. "Where else should I be?"